Portable hydraulic livestock scale

ABSTRACT

A collapsible scale having hydraulic pressure responsive cells in support of an animal weighing platform. Ramp components are detachable from the main portion of the scale as is an instrument stand facilitating the collapsing of the scale for pick-up truck transport to a remote livestock weighing site. Conduit means communicating the cells with a pressure indicator on the instrument stand includes a flexible component allowing detachment and repositioning of the stand without conduit separation. Adjustable pre-loading means for the cells and conduit means permit pressurizing of same prior to start of a weighing operation.

United StatesjPatent [1 1 Purcell [111 3,774,704 51 Nov. 27, 1973 PORTABLE HYDRAULIC LIVESTOCK SCALE Inventor: Robert J. Purcell, P.O. Box 626, Garibaldi, Oreg. 97118 Filed: May 30, 1972 Appl. No.: 258,092

US. Cl. 177/126, 177/209 Int. (:1. G01g 21/00, G0lg 5/04 Field of Search 177/ 126, 208", 209,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 10/1958 Eckman 177/209 2/1958 Murphy 177/126 UX 12/1941 Kelly 177/209 Bradley .l 177/209 2,962,276 11/1960 Thurston 177/ 126 Primary Examiner-George H. Miller, Jr. Attorney-James D. Givnan, Jr.

[57'] ABSTRACT A collapsible scale having hydraulic pressure responsive cells in support of an animal weighing platform. Ramp components are detachable from the main portion of the scale as is an instrument stand facilitating the collapsing of the scale for pick-up truck transport to a remote livestock weighing site. Conduit means communicating the cells with a pressure indicator on the instrument stand includes a flexible component al-- lowing detachment and repositioning of, the stand without conduit separation. Adjustable ire-loading means for the cells and conduit means permit pressurizing of same prior to start of a weighing operation.

4 Claims, 6 Drawing figures .PoiirABLE uYu AuLrc' rilvns'rocx scAL BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION v The present inventionrelates generally to portable scales'for usein weighing livestock at various sites-and what delicate andhence do not lend themselves to repeated moves or use at remote'outdoor sites.

In the operation of alivestock endeavor such as cat-- tle ranching, dairy farming and the like it is highly desirable to periodically weigh the animals for purposes a "of determining growth rates permitting the culling out of those animals having an unacceptable rate of growth. The more frequently the weighing operation can be performed the'greater the selectivity the operatorhas to which animals should be disposed of. I-Ieretofore, weighing of animals on aperiodic basis'was complicated by their necessary transport to and from a stationary scale which resulted in such weighing-beingeconomically impractical with the culling out of undesirable animals being left largely to the ranchers visual impression. 1 v

A further drawbackto' known scales is their complexity resulting in their not only being of high initial cost but costly from a maintenance standpoint.

* SUMMARY oF 'II-IE INVENTIQ N The scale embodying the instant invention is primarily for use in the weighing of livestock at various outdoor sites and accordingly includes separable components enabling the scale to be collapsed for convenient transport within a small space as for example the bed of 'a'pick-up truck. Important to the portable nature of the scale are fluidpressure cellsof rugged construction in communication with a pressure reading gauge to.

of a small pick-up truck to enable the conducting of periodic weighing'operations at remote "outdoor sites.

Certainfcomponents of the scale are readily detachable for compact stowage for travel to the next site whereat weighing may beinitiated without time consuming calibration of same. 1

'A further important object is the provision of a scale utlizing a captive fluid which by means of multiple pressure cells and a pressure gauge can perform livestock weighing to the accuracy required. Necessary to achieve this object are pressure cells of extremely durable design not susceptible to damage during the-repeated loadings and unloadings or duringtransit over unimproved roads where the use of scales having ordinary weighing mechanisms isprohibited by reasoriof the severe treatment encountered in such loadings and transport.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the accompanying drawing: I

FIG. isa side elevational'view ofjthe stock scale'in operable configuration, U

fFIGlZ is a plan view of FIG. 1 with the weighing platline, I

form broken away alongthe scales transversecenter- FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the scale collapsed for transport. a

FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail viewof that portion of the scale encircled at 4 in FIG. 3, 1 I

FIG. 5 is a detailed view of means for 'pre-' pressurizing the hydraulic system of the scale, and

FIG6 isanenlarged detail view of a, pressure cell provide s scale able to withstand severe impacts as tor. Conduit means communicating the cells with said pressure gauge includes a flexible segment and shut off valves which conribute to the ease of collapsing and setting the contribute up at the new site. Means are provided for pre-pressurizing the fluid which causes the pressure cells to be more responsive to imparted weights. Further, a gauge may be provided with a ,settable face to permit a zero reading at the start of=a weighing operation even through the fluid system of the scale has been pre-pressurized. Off and on ramps as well as guard rails are removably mounted to the scale base permitting rapid detachment and set up at a new weighing site.

i It is an important object of the present invention to provide a livestock scale transportable within the box taken along'line 6 6 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With continuing reference to the accompanying drawing wherein applied referencenumerals indicate parts similarly identified in the following specification, the reference numeral 10 indicates generally a scale embodying the present invention shown in place on a supporting surface 11 which, in the case of outdoor use, may be a level ground area.

A base 12 of the scale is of rectangular shape and may be a framework of end welded channel iron membersto provide a rigid support for the remaining scale components. Base 12 comprises longitudinal members 13 and end. members 14 to which are welded a plurality of components described below. Pairsof sockets 15 welded to each end member 14 of the base serve-to retain the elevated'ends of a pair of ramps 16. Each ramp 16 includes a pair of angle iron reinforcing membersl7 one of which is shown endwise in FIG. 4 withthe'uppermost ends of each angle iron mounting ahorizontally disposed, inwardly projecting collar 18. Swingably mounted within each of said collars is'a connector 19 of right angular configuration with a distal end 19 A insertable within base mounted socketlS. FIG. '4 shows the connector disengaged from its socketand swung upwardly against the ramp permitting compact stowage of the ramp as seen in FIG. 3.

Also carried by base 12 are railing sockets 20within which the lower ends of iron pipe railings 21 are removably mounted. In instances'where the scale is set up within a livestock chute the railings may be dispensed with.

present live.-

Indicated at 22 is a weighingplatform superimposed on base 12 and being of like dimension, as best viewed in FIG. 2.-1n continuing similarity to base 12 the weighing' platform may also be of welded channel iron construction with longitudinal members'23 and end'membets 24. A livestock treadway is provided in the form,

of a one inch plywood panel 25 secured along its perimbelow platform 25 are transversely extending braces 26 welded intermediate the longitudinal members 23. For the purpose of retaining the weighing platform in place on-base 12 against lateral displacement I provide a plu-v rality of corner located retainers 27, shown as tubular segments, welded at their upper ends to the ends of Iongitudinalmembers 23 of the weighing platform. The sockets 15, supporting inner or elevated ends of ramps 16, prevent longitudinal displacement of the weighing platform as the sockets extend upwardly adjacent the platform end members 24.

. Interposed between base 12 and weighing platform 22, adjacent each of their four comers are identical pressurecells indicated generally at 30. With attention to FIG. 6 wherein a typical pressure cell is shown, the same includes a circular base plate 31 permanently secured in place upon a longitudinal base member 13. A peripheral weld 32 serves to secure a flexiblemetal disc 33 in a fluid tight manner to its base plate 31. In a satisfactory embodiment the pressure cell 30 may include a base plate of H8 inch thick metal while the disc 33 may be of 1/16 inch thickness both with a diameter of approximately 4 inches. Pre-pressurization or preloading of the fluid system, as later described, causes disc 33 of each cell to be deformed upwardly with a resuiting chamber forming between said plate and disc confining a pressurized fluid charge therein. In resting engagement upon the central portion of the upper surface of each disc 33 is a foot 34 secured to the underside of the weighing platforms longitudinal member 23. Also carried by said longitudinal member is an inclined guard 28 for each pressure cell 30.

With reference to FIG. 2 it will be seen that the interior or chamber of each pressure cell is in communication via fluid conduit means 35 and fittings 35A with the remaining pressurecells. A pressure lead at 36, also part of said conduit means, serves to relay fluid pressure resulting from forces imparted to each of the four cells. For the sake of convenience each pressure cell 30 may be additionally provided with a bleed (not shown) allowing bleeding of the entire fluid system should air become entrapped in the system. Bleeding of the'fluid system may additionally be accomplished by a main bleed 38 in said conduit means. In adjacent fluid communication with bleed 38 are a pair of shut off valves 40-41 with a conduit coupling at 42 permitting convenient separation of the conduit means, if desired, below eter to platform members 23-24. Located at intervals A flexible" hose segment a 43 of the conduit; means communicates shut off valve 41 with a line 44 thesame being secured along one of a pair of tubular. supports 45 of an instrument stand. The supports 45 are of irregular configuration at 45A for purposes of offsetting the stand are are retained in vertical disposition by engagement of their lowerends in an inserted manner within sleeves 47 carried by longitudinal base member 13. The

upper ends of the supports 45 serve jointly to carry an elevated instrument mounting board at 48. Fluid pressure indicator means, shown as a gauge 50, is secured to the instrument board 48 and is preferably of the type having a settable gauge face permitting setting of a zero pressure reading regardless of the gauge pointer position indicating fluid pressure existing within the cells and conduit means. Fluid pressure in line 44 is communicated to gauge 50 via a Tee fitting 51 while a second Tee.at5 2 is used in conjunction with a shut off valve 53 the latter being used for the purpose of dampening severe pressure fluctuations in the system. The remaining port ,of Tee fitting 52 is provided a check valve 55, which in a preferred form of the invention, maybe a ball check valvepast which fluid may be added from a pressurized source to the system at intervals if re quired. I

To enable the fully charged fluid system to be prepressurized or pre-loaded to a value between 30 to 60 PSI for example, adjustable pressurizing meansare provided at 56 in communication with the conduit means at Tee 51 via a shut off valve 57. The adjustable pressurizing means 56, as best shown in FIG. 5, includes a main body 56 having afluid charged chamber 60 within which a piston 61 may travel by reason of a threaded threaded boss 62 on the mainbody 56. The adjustable pressure means 56 is set by rotation of a handle 58 for advancement of retraction of the O-ring equipped piston end 61A with respect to the. lower end of chamber 60. Accordingly, with a fluid system fully charged and the piston 61 retracted to allow the chamber 60 to receive a maximum quantity of fluid not only may the system be pre-loadedprior to the start of a weighing operation by advancement of piston 61 but also a fluid reserve is embodied within the volume of fluid in chamber 60. Pressure gauge 50 subsequent to system pressuriz ing and before the start of the weighing operation is reset to a zero reading. The pressure readings from gauge 50 during a weighing operation may be readily translated into pounds on a conversion table 63 provided on the instrument mounting board 48.- Said table may be based upon a pre-determined pressure value existing in the system prior to the start of weighing.

, The shut off valve 57 may be closed upon the system being pre-loaded to the pressure desired whereafter any seepage past the O-ring on piston 61 is of no consequence.

The operation of the present scale is believed to be apparent from the foregoing description. Collapsing of the scale is accomplished by the upward extraction of the connector ends 19A from their respective sockets 15 with subsequent swinging of said connector ends upwardly against the underside of the ramp enabling the ramps to be compactly placed on the weighing platform as shown in FIG. 3. The instrument stand and specifically the supports 45 are disengageable from the base mounted sleeves 47 to permit the instrument stand to be collapsed, to the generally horizontal position of FIG. 3 such being possible without disconnecting of the conduit means. As' earlier mentioned, in certain instances it may be desirable to disconnect coupling 42 subsequent to the closing of shut off valves 40-41 with t the later setting up of the scale necessitating only the bleeding of the conduit-means intermediate said shut 7 off valves by means of bleed. 38.

The weighing of livestock with the present scale'may be done in a rapid manner with the conversion of the pressure reading indicated on gauge 50 being done at the time of weighing. As the pre-loacled pressure value vention it will be apparent to those skilled in the art thatthe invention may be embodied still otherwise without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be secured under a Letters Patent is:

l. A collapsible hydraulic scale conveniently transportable to remote locations for the weighing of liveofsaidbase, i conduit means including a flexible hose segment lo cated adjacent said instrument-stand permitting detachment of the stand from the base and horizontal repositioning of the stand during collapsing of the scale for travel without disconnecting said conduit means, i pressure indicating means located on said stand for I viewing by a scale operator and in fluid communication with said conduitmeans for indicating fluid pressure resulting from a weighed load on the platform, and t pressurizing means located on said stand for preloading said pressure cells and said conduit means, said pressurizing means additionally adapted to store a quantity of fluid for replenishment of the scales fluid supply.

2. The scale as claimed in claim 1 wherein said platform confining means includes ramp supporting sockets secured to the base of the scale and extending upwardly therefrom additionally serving to receive insertable ramp components.

3 The scale as claimed in claim 2 wherein said insertable ramp components comprise swingably mounted connectors carried at the upper ends of said ramps, said connectors upon disengagement from their base carried sockets during collapsing of the scale being upwardly positionable against their respective ramps for purposes of compact ramp stowage.

4. The scale as claimed in claim 3 wherein said conduit means includes a flexible hose segment located adjacent said instrument stand permitting detachment of the stand from the base and horizontal repositioning of the stand during collapsing of the scale for travel without disconnecting said conduit means. 

1. A collapsible hydraulic scale conveniently transportable to remote locations for the weighing of livestock, said scale comprising, a base of rectangular configuration, ramps attachable to opposite ends of said base, a weighing platform on sAid base, means confining said platform in place on said base, pressure cells intermediate said platform and the base each including a flexible disc component deformable upon preloading of the pressure cells with a fluid charge, an instrument stand removably attached to one side of said base, conduit means including a flexible hose segment located adjacent said instrument stand permitting detachment of the stand from the base and horizontal repositioning of the stand during collapsing of the scale for travel without disconnecting said conduit means, pressure indicating means located on said stand for viewing by a scale operator and in fluid communication with said conduit means for indicating fluid pressure resulting from a weighed load on the platform, and pressurizing means located on said stand for pre-loading said pressure cells and said conduit means, said pressurizing means additionally adapted to store a quantity of fluid for replenishment of the scales fluid supply.
 2. The scale as claimed in claim 1 wherein said platform confining means includes ramp supporting sockets secured to the base of the scale and extending upwardly therefrom additionally serving to receive insertable ramp components.
 3. The scale as claimed in claim 2 wherein said insertable ramp components comprise swingably mounted connectors carried at the upper ends of said ramps, said connectors upon disengagement from their base carried sockets during collapsing of the scale being upwardly positionable against their respective ramps for purposes of compact ramp stowage.
 4. The scale as claimed in claim 3 wherein said conduit means includes a flexible hose segment located adjacent said instrument stand permitting detachment of the stand from the base and horizontal repositioning of the stand during collapsing of the scale for travel without disconnecting said conduit means. 